20.1.5.1 Basis of Appeal

20.1.5.2 Format

20.1.5.3 Evaluation

20.1.5.4 Appeal of Sanctions Other than Separation from the University

20.1.5.5 Appeal of Separation from the University

20.1.5.6 Disciplinary Action Pending Appeal

20.1.5.7 Limits per Case

20.1.5.8 Honor Council Assistance

A student who is found responsible for a violation and assessed a sanction has five (5) university business days from the date of notification of the sanction to file an appeal with the Honor System Office.

Additional information about Aggie Honor System Appeals may be found in the Appeals Process.

20.1.5.1 BASIS OF APPEAL

There are four bases of appeal:

• Substantial new evidence not available at the time of the original hearing: To consider new information, sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such information and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original hearing.
• A violation of due process rights: To determine whether the original hearing was conducted fairly in light of the charges and evidence presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures giving the accused student a reasonable opportunity to prepare and present rebuttal of allegations.
• The sanction is not commensurate with the violation: To determine whether the sanction(s) imposed were appropriate for the violation of the Honor System Rules which the student was found to have committed.
• The finding of responsibility is inconsistent with the facts presented in the hearing: To determine whether the decision reached regarding the accused student was based on a preponderance of the evidence, that is, whether the facts in the case were sufficient to establish that a violation of the Honor System Rules occurred.

20.1.5.2 FORMAT

Appeals should be submitted through the AHSO website (NOTE: appeals have a maximum character limit of 3000 characters). In the event that additional documentation needs to be submitted or if the website is inaccessible for some reason, students must contact the AHSO for further guidance.

20.1.5.3 EVALUATION

An evaluation of the written appeal by the Director of the AHSO will determine whether a review of the appeal by the appropriate Appeal Body, as defined below, is warranted. For an appeal to be considered valid, one or more basis of appeal must be cited and appropriately supported in the written appeal. The Director’s decision is final.

20.1.5.4 APPEAL OF SANCTIONS OTHER THAN SEPARATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY

If the Director finds that there is adequate basis for an appeal, the Director will appoint a group of three Honor Council members to review the written appeal. Appeals not involving suspension or expulsion from the University will be a file review only. There will be no in-person appeal hearing for autonomous cases where only the sanction is being appealed.
The members of this Appeals group shall not have participated in any proceeding or investigation related to any appeal that they consider. Its decisions are final. A course grade assigned as the result of a sanction cannot be appealed through the grade dispute process described in Student Rules 48 or 59.

20.1.5.5 APPEAL OF SEPARATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY

A student who has been assessed a disciplinary sanction of expulsion or suspension from the University by the Honor Council may file an appeal with the Director of the AHSO. If the Director finds that there is adequate basis for an appeal, the appeal will be reviewed by members of the Honor System Separation Appeals Panel.
The Honor System Separation Appeals Panel shall be made up of faculty, staff, and students appointed by the Provost or the Provost's designee. Its members shall be independent of the Honor Council. Its decisions are final.

20.1.5.6 DISCIPLINARY ACTION PENDING APPEAL

Following the notification of intent to appeal and pending the appeal hearing, any disciplinary or educational sanction taken by the instructor or Honor Council shall be stayed until the appeal process is complete unless the university has determined in a case involving suspension or expulsion that the continued presence on-campus of the charged student poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process.

20.1.5.7 LIMITS PER CASE

Students are limited to one appeal per case filed against them.

20.1.5.8 HONOR COUNCIL ASSISTANCE

The AHSO will provide assistance, to students who request it, in completing appeal documentation.